I was simultaneously working as a body double for two billionaire brothers. For the older brother, who liked it sultry, I pulled out all the stops: lace dresses and bunny tails. For the younger brother, who preferred the "pure" look, I played the part in oversized white shirts and black thigh-highs. Because I was a consummate professional, I never slipped up. Until one day, I got sloppy, and a paparazzo caught me in his lens. The headline “Vance Brothers Suspected of Sharing the Same Canary” blew up on social media. When the younger brother came storming through the front door, I was busy sitting on his older brother's lap, playing the perfect, doting pet. 1 The other girls in the "Double" circuit felt so sorry for me. They knew I was the "canary" kept by the younger Vance brother, Rowan, but Rowan never touched me. "Mia is so gorgeous, how did she end up with a prude like Rowan Vance?" "I heard he’s saving himself for his first love. That’s why he won't lay a finger on her." "Poor girl, living like a widow in her twenties. How does she stand it?" As I listened to them, I grabbed a couple of tissues and dabbed at non-existent tears. It was true—Rowan never touched me. He paid me fifteen thousand a month just to eat dinner with him, go for drives, and chat. It was the easiest life imaginable. But because I had so much free time, I took on a side hustle and found a new benefactor. This was a massive breach of professional ethics, so I kept it a total secret. Right now, my friend Harper was hugging me sympathetically. "Mia, this dry spell is bad for your health. You should find a new sponsor." "What about the older Vance brother, Declan? He’s worth billions, single, and incredibly hot. Why don't you try your luck with him?" "Forget it," another girl chimed in. "I heard Declan already has a girl. He keeps her hidden away. No one even knows who she is." I took a giant gulp of my drink, not daring to say a word. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Declan. [Wait for me at the villa tonight.] I obediently replied: [Okay.] To be honest, the mysterious girl Declan Vance was keeping... was also me. 2 Declan was nothing like his brother. He was wild, unrestrained, and had more energy than a freight train. He loved to play. After entering the house, I shed my black trench coat to reveal a seductive fox-themed outfit, complete with a pair of fuzzy ears. Declan was clearly pleased. His eyes darkened, and his breathing grew heavy. He unbuttoned his shirt with one hand, unbuckled his belt with the other, and gestured to me. "Come here. Sit." I sat on his lap, wrapping my arms around him. "I made these ears myself. Do you like them?" His hot palm pressed against my skirt. "I love them," he rasped. I took the chance to pout. "I saw a limited-edition bag yesterday." "Buy it," Declan said dismissively. His hand was busy, tracing slow circles on my waist. He tilted my chin up, his lips inches from mine. "Is my little fox illiterate?" "What?" I blinked, confused. He smirked, his hand moving toward my zipper. "I want to do a deep dive into your 'educational background,' okay?" In the middle of the heat, I remembered the truth. I had recently discovered I was living inside a trashy romance novel. The Vance brothers were the male leads; their childhood sweetheart was the heroine. I was just the temporary "placeholder" side character. When the heroine eventually returns from Europe, the brothers will fight over her. Because she hates me, they will imprison me, torture me, and eventually toss me into a psychiatric ward. In the book, I die in the dead of winter. Once I realized this, I snapped out of my "love" for Declan. I needed to hoard cash. The heroine wasn't due back for a year. I’d work both jobs, save every cent, and vanish before the plot could kill me. Suddenly, my phone started ringing. It was Harper. [Mia, you absolute legend! How did you keep this from me?] [We're all canaries, but you're working double shifts for double the pay!] [I felt bad for you, but you're living the dream!] I typed back: [?] She replied: [Stop acting. Everyone knows you're Declan’s secret girl now.] Declan was right there, shirt off, waiting for me. I didn't have time to ask how she knew. I just begged her: [Keep it quiet. I'll explain later.] [Too late. Look at the news.] She forwarded a link. The headline read: “Vance Brothers Suspected of Sharing the Same Canary.” 3 I clicked on the link with shaking fingers. There were two photos. One was of me and Rowan at dinner. He was wiping my mouth, looking at me with pure devotion. The second was much more scandalous: me and Declan on an outdoor balcony, with me dressed in a bunny outfit. Goddamned paparazzi. My privacy was gone, and my game was up. Harper texted again: [Do they know yet?] [No,] I replied. [Run. Now. My guy says Rowan already saw it.] Right then, a text came from Rowan. Just two words: "Very well." I shuddered. Rowan looked gentle, but his anger was lethal. Beside me, Declan was getting impatient. He pulled me back into his arms. "Are you done with your phone? My time starts now." He guided my hand across his chest. "Mia, take it off for me." But how was I supposed to have the mood for this?! I yanked my hand back. "Declan, not tonight. My sister has a fever. I have to go." I threw on my coat. "Next time! I promise!" Declan stared at me, his fire cooling into confusion. "I'll drive you." "No need!" I said, but the doorbell rang. Rowan’s voice came from the other side, cold and flat. "Declan, are you home?" 4 I dove behind the sofa in a panic. Declan opened the door. Rowan didn't waste time. "Declan, do you know a Mia Hayes?" "I do. You can call her your sister-in-law," Declan said, crossing his arms. "Why? You know her too?" Rowan’s mouth twisted into a mocking sneer. "I do. You can call her your sister-in-law." The silence that followed was deafening. "What the hell are you talking about?" Declan demanded. "Haven't you seen the news?" Rowan handed him his phone. "To put it simply, the girl I'm keeping... and the one you're keeping... are the same person." The air froze. I didn't wait to hear the rest. I snuck out through the back door of the villa. I needed to get as far away from these two psychopaths as possible. As I ran through the night, I did the math. I lost the house and the bag Declan promised, but I had a few million in the bank—enough to support me and the girls at the orphanage for years. "Those two idiots," I muttered, kicking a stone. "If they’d been more discreet, I wouldn't be in this mess." Suddenly, something cold touched my neck. A hand hooked into my necklace. Rowan was standing right in front of me. He forced me back against a streetlamp. "Mia. My brother is easy to fool, and I'm easy to please. Is playing both of us a game to you?" I tried to run, but Declan appeared from the other side. His shirt was still unbuttoned, his expression unreadable. "Mia, I think you owe us an explanation." I was trapped. "I was just working two jobs!" I blurted out, trying to stay calm. "You guys never said I couldn't have a side hustle!" Rowan looked like he wanted to laugh from pure rage. "You think you need to be told that?! It’s basic ethics!" Before he could grab me, Declan stepped between us. His gaze was icy. Just then, a phone rang. It was Serena, their "First Love." "Rowan, I'm back. I just landed." Her voice was clear in the quiet night. "I tried Declan, but he didn't pick up. Can you tell him?" The heroine was back a year early. Rowan was distracted by the call. I took the chance and bolted. He was too busy talking to catch me. As for Declan, I looked back once. He was just standing there, tracing the red marks on his neck where I'd scratched him earlier. He didn't even try to follow. Good, I thought. The real queen is back. They don't need the substitute anymore. 5 I went back to the orphanage. It was 10 PM. I handed an envelope full of cash to the Director, who was the only mother I’d ever known. Two years ago, she’d needed heart surgery. I’d used all my savings, but it wasn't enough. That was when Rowan had found me. "Mia, you look just like the girl I love. I have a deal for you." The deal was simple: ten thousand a month to eat and talk. He gave me a checklist of Serena’s habits, her likes, and her style. I memorized it all. The first time we ate, I ate the shrimp four times. Rowan’s face went cold. He lifted my chin. "You're failing the part. She never eats more than three bites of a single dish. I'm docking your pay." Three thousand dollars, gone. My heart bled. Later, the Director had complications. I asked Rowan for an advance. He smiled, but his words were ice. "Greed is an ugly habit, Mia. She wouldn't do that." He wouldn't give me the money. But I needed it. So when Declan offered me a hundred thousand a month, I didn't hesitate. Declan never mentioned Serena. I pretended she didn't exist. "Mia, I can't take this," the Director said, looking at the money. "Keep it for the girls," I said, hugging her. "I'm leaving for Chicago. I won't be back for a while." In this city, the Vance brothers were gods. I needed to disappear. I booked a flight for three days later. Harper kept texting me. "The original really is different," she messaged. "Did you see the fireworks over the harbor? Declan spent millions to welcome Serena back." I remembered a night with Declan. He'd asked what I liked besides money. I said fireworks. He promised to set them off for me. Men are liars. "Rowan is throwing a huge gala for her tonight," Harper added. "Since you're leaving, I'm throwing you a farewell party. Here’s the address." I went to the address, but it looked too fancy. Inside, I saw Serena in a blue diamond dress, flanked by Rowan and Declan. My heart stopped. I looked at my phone. A text from Harper had just arrived. [Wrong hall! Serena’s party is in the front. Don't go in there!] I wanted to kill her. As I tried to sneak out, Serena walked toward me. "You must be Mia?" she said, holding a wine glass.
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